Author: gleanernewspaper

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio told an audience at the University of Oxford on May 17, 2026, that Africa must cultivate leadership capable of both holding steady in crises and driving transformative reform if the continent is to navigate a period of global instability, technological change, and rising climate threats.President Bio, who also serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, delivered the Presidential Keynote at the Oxford Africa Conference 2026, titled “Anchoring Africa: Grounded, Game-Changing Leadership in the Age of Disruption.” He urged a shift from rhetoric about African agency to a focus…

Koidu City, Kono District, May, 2026 — President Dr Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio officially opened the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) district office in Kono today, naming it Amina Maada Bio Hall. The ceremony drew party executives, traditional leaders, organised youth and women’s groups, and hundreds of members and supporters from across the district, transforming it into a significant demonstration of political solidarity and grassroots mobilisation.Speaking to the crowd, President Bio described the new office as a physical and symbolic consolidation of the SLPP’s presence in Kono. He described the hall as “more than…

May 2026, His Excellency, President Dr Julius Maada Bio, celebrated his birthday with a youth-led gathering that included young leaders from across Africa, Sierra Leonean youth representatives, regional dignitaries, and international guests. As part of the second edition of the Julius Maada Bio Leadership Colloquium, the African Young Leaders Convergence (AYLC) was held under the theme “From Potential to Power: Unlocking Youth Agency for Africa’s Transformation,” to institutionalise leadership dialogue, deepen continental collaboration, and promote innovative responses to Africa’s most pressing challenges.The colloquium aims to provide emerging leaders with transformational leadership tools, promote cross-border cooperation, and empower youth voices in…

Wilhelmus Adrianus Leijdekkers, the brother and alleged financial operator of one of Europe’s most wanted Dutch crime figures, Joseph Johannes “Bolle Jos” Leijdekkers, has been arrested by Turkish intelligence and Istanbul police. The detention occurred on May 16, 2026, in Istanbul’s Pendik district, as part of a coordinated operation by national intelligence agents and narcotics officers, Turkish authorities said. The arrest was carried out in accordance with an Interpol Red Notice requesting his arrest on an international scale.  According to Turkish prosecutors, Wilhelmus Leijdekkers has long been regarded by investigators as a senior figure within a Dutch-based international drug cartel and…

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Energy, Cyril Arnold Grant, has publicly acknowledged the electricity problems that residents of Freetown are experiencing and pledged to take action to restore a more reliable supply. Speaking on the SLBC Morning Coffee programme, Minister Grant blamed the recent drop in generation capacity primarily on lower water levels at the Bumbuna hydroelectric dam, which has reduced output and left parts of the city with intermittent power. The minister said he personally understands the difficulties faced by households and businesses, and he issued a direct apology to people in Eastern Freetown, who he said have been particularly…

Brima Baluwa Koroma, Director General of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), has officially opened a refurbished retail fuel station operated by NP (SL) Limited in Freetown’s Kissy neighbourhood, marking another step forward in Sierra Leone’s modernisation of its downstream petroleum sector.Baluwa Koroma praised the Board, management, and employees of NP (SL) Limited at the unveiling ceremony for their ongoing commitment to strengthening the industry through increased product availability and better customer service. He stated that the company has used its long history, corporate culture, and past achievements to boost public trust and drive further business expansion, describing NP (SL)…

The National Monitoring and Evaluation Agency (NaMEA), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), held a two-day validation workshop this week to review monitoring reports for ten public investment projects being implemented by Sierra Leone’s various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Over 70 people from the central government, development partners, and implementing agencies attended the event, which took place at the Freetown City Council Hall on Wallace Johnson Street.The reports’ monitoring and evaluation exercises were carried out nationwide in November and December 2025, and they covered project activities in 16 districts. Among the attendees were representatives from the…

On May 13, 2026, the Julius Maada Bio Leadership Colloquium brought together African decision-makers, youth advocates, traditional authorities, diplomats, and women leaders at the Freetown International Conference Centre to discuss leadership challenges and opportunities. The African Young Leadership Convergence (AYLC) organised the event, which was held to commemorate President Julius Maada Bio’s birthday, under the theme “Reimagining African Leadership: Courage, Accountability, Innovation, and Leadership in an Era of Global Uncertainty.” The colloquium, framed as more than just a ceremonial event, brought together seasoned statespeople and emerging voices to discuss how Africa can move beyond symbolic reform to the structural transformations…

The rehabilitated Maternity and Fistula Wards at Makeni Regional Hospital were officially handed over on Tuesday, May 13, 2026, as part of a major investment in maternal and reproductive health services in Bombali District. The rehabilitation, funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Embassy of Iceland, improves the infrastructure and patient-care capacity of a hospital serving more than 500,000 people in the region.Health officials, hospital management, development partners, and other stakeholders were present for the handover, which organisers said is expected to significantly improve access to quality maternal healthcare for women, including those with obstetric fistula, in…

The Ministry of Information and Civic Education and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening public health communication, civic engagement, and community mobilisation in Sierra Leone. The pledge was made during a meeting at the Minister’s Office between Minister Chernor Abdulai Bah and WHO Country Representative Dr George F. Ameh, during which both parties discussed ways to strengthen joint efforts in health messaging and national awareness campaigns.Minister Bah welcomed the WHO delegation and introduced senior Ministry staff, expressing gratitude for the ongoing partnership between the government and WHO. He emphasised the Ministry’s critical role in informing…